Air Pollution

Louth County Council is responsible for dealing with air pollution in County Louth. The Air Pollution Act 1987 is the legislation enforced by Louth County Council in dealing with Air Pollution complaints. Typical complaints include backyard burning.

There are also a number of regulations under the Air Pollution act which are enforced the Environment Section of Louth County Council relating to the use of Solvents, Vehicle refinishing and Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels.

If you wish to make a complaint about air pollution, please contact the Environment Section Louth County Council (042)9353130.

Introduction of a Nationwide Low Smoke Zone (LSZ)

Minister Denis Naughten has announced that, from Autumn 2018, Ireland will be the first country in Europe to introduce a nationwide ban on the marketing, sale, distribution and burning of bituminous coal or ‘smoky coal’.

Currently the ban on the burning of smoky coal and certain other fuels applies in all Low Smoke Zones (LSZs) and complements the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution. The extension of the ban nationwide will have the effect of designating the entire State a LSZ.

Where householders continue to rely on solid fuel, there is now a range of innovative low smoke solid fuel products, including low smoke coal products, available on the market. Low smoke solid fuel is cleaner and energy-efficient. It can deliver improved air quality and human health benefits.

Under the Air Pollution Act (Marketing, Sale, Distribution and Burning of Specified Fuels) Regulations 2012 (as amended) all low smoke solid fuel products must be clearly labelled as per the Regulations. This allows householders to make an informed choice about the products they purchase.

Louth County Council is the responsible authority for the enforcement of these regulations in Co Louth.

Local authority staff may undertake inspections of premises and vehicles being used for the sale and distribution of solid fuel as well as collect samples; the NVDF may be accessed for this purpose

Fixed payment notices (or ‘on the spot fines’) can be applied by the local authorities for alleged offences relating to the marketing, sale and distribution of prohibited fuels in Low Smoke Zones (LSZs). These fines range from €250 to €1,000 depending on the nature of the offence;

A local authority may bring a prosecution under the Air Pollution Act for breaches of the Regulations;

The maximum fine amounts for breaches of the Regulations is €5,000 on summary conviction;

Further information can be found on the Department’s website at www.dccae.gov.ie.

National Ambient Air Quality Control

The Environmental Protection Agency recently launched the Air Quality Index for Health (AQIH). This was developed by the EPA, HSE, Met Éireann and Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.

The AQIH provides air quality information with health advice for both the general public and people sensitive to air pollution. The index is displayed on a colour-coded map, updated hourly, on www.airquality.epa.ie and on Twitter @EPAAirQuality .

These Regulations were sign into law by Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan on 31st August 2012. One of the key elements of the Regulations has been the designation of new towns as smokeless zones and in the expansion of the ban areas in towns that were previously covered under the old Regulations. The smokeless zone areas of Dundalk and Drogheda have been expanded significantly under these new Regulations.

Solvents

These regulations control VOC emissions from various business sectors listed in the above regulations. The relevant business sectors are listed in schedule 1 and their corresponding thresholds are listed in schedule 2 of the above regulations There is no threshold for dry cleaning therefore the regulations apply all cases.

If your business is a dry cleaner or if it exceeds the relevant thresholds listed in schedule 2 then an approved assessor must carry out an inspection. The inspection report along with €70 or €50 (€70 for late submissions and first time applicants) must then be submitted to the Local Authority. The local Authority will then issue a certificate of compliance. The Local authority can issue a certificate of compliance for a period of not more than three years, however the length of time for a certificate of compliance is at the discretion of the Local Authority.

Also please note that if your business falls within these regulations you must also supply the Local Authority with an annual self assessment report see below. This report must commence from January 2014 to Jan 2015 and every year thereafter. The Local Authority will require this annual report in order to assess compliance with the above regulations.

The EPA has set up a panel of approved assessors for the purposes of carrying out inspections under the regulations. The details of the panel of Approved Assessors for the above regulations are as follows:

Vehicle Refinishers:

These regulations make it illegal for any uncertified operator to carry out vehicle refinishing for which a certificate of compliance is required under these Regulations. If you carry out vehicle refinishing then an approved assessor must carry out an inspection of your premises. The inspection report along with €70 or €50 (€70 for late submissions and first time applicants) must then be submitted to the Local Authority. The local Authority will then issue a certificate of compliance. The Local authority can issue a certificate of compliance for a period of up to three years, however the length of time for a certificate of compliance is at the discretion of the Local Authority.

Approved Assessors

The EPA has set up a panel of approved assessors for the purposes of carrying out inspections under the regulations. The details of the panel of Approved Assessors for the above regulations are as follows:

The following is a list of spray painters in Co Louth. Please note that following listed facilities registration date may vary from time to time. There may also be new facilities that are not on the list. Should you have any queries about a vehicle refinisher that is not listed or if you wish to check the current registration status of any of the following spray painters listed please contact the Environment Section, Louth County Council (042) 9335457.

Petrol Stations:

The above regulations introduce controls on petroleum vapour emissions resulting from the storage and distribution of petrol which is intended for use as fuel for motor vehicles.

Service Station owner/operators are obliged to ensure that their facility is designed and operated in accordance of the third Schedule of these Regulations.

The third schedule of SI 375 of 1997 outlines the requirements for loading and storage at terminals and service stations where the intermediate storage of vapours is carried out.

Under the above regulations all petrol station owners are required to engage the services of a independent approved assessor to carry out an assessment of the Vapour Recovery system at the service station. Following completion of the assessment, the report along with €63.50 is forwarded to the Local Authority. A certificate in accordance with section 13(1) of the Petroleum Vapour Emissions Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 375 of 1997) is then issued to the service station owner/manager for a period of 3 years.

Independent Approved Assessors:

The following have been appointed by Louth County Council as approved assessors in accordance with section 6 (1) of the above regulations for Co Louth.